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The massacre of seven members of a Kurdish family in Konya’s Meram district were protested in various cities of Turkey including the three major cities, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
Protests were organised by the Platform for the Forces of Labour, Peace and Democracy, and thousands attended the actions, which were held under police blockade.
In the capital city Ankara, police attacked the protesters using tear gas, and several people were injured.
Speaking at the action held in Istanbul, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP for Şirnak (Şirnex), Hasan Özgüneş said the following:
“We condemn this brutal attack. We say to the forces behind these murders: Your place is hell. This is how you will take your place in history.”
Statements from officials claim that the massacre has nothing to do with the Kurdish-Turkish conflict, but people chanted the slogan, “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism” during the protests.
At the protest in Izmir HDP Co-Chair for Izmir Kadir Baydur emphasised that the discourse used by the government is the main factor responsible for the attacks against Kurdish people in Turkey.
“The AKP/MHP (Justice and Development Party/Nationalist Movement Party) government’s hostile attitude towards the Kurds has paved the way for this massacre,” he stated.
